If there is no requirement for training and applying for a permit, what will happen to all those trainers? Would they be eligible for unemployment? My G-d, if that happened in Minnesota Fletcher would have to lay-off a whole platoon of people: Those that he reports to the BCA that spend their entire workyear processing all of those applications and renewals.

FRANKFORT, Ky. — State Rep. Mike Harmon, a Republican candidate for lieutenant governor, said Monday that he plans to introduce legislation during the 2011 General Assembly to allow Kentuckians to carry concealed weapons without a permit.

Harmon, of Danville, is running on a ticket with Louisville businessman Phil Moffett in next year's race for governor.

He said in an interview that every law-abiding citizen “should have the right to carry a gun if they so choose to protect themselves.”

Under current law, Kentuckians who aren’t felons can carry weapons openly — or have them visible in their vehicles — without a permit.

To conceal weapons in places such as a purse or under a seat in a vehicle, an individual must take a training course on gun safety and gun laws and submit an application to the local sheriff's office.

The application fee is $60, and the training can cost as much as $75, according to the non-profit Kentucky Coalition to Carry Concealed.

Harmon said the training and applications fees are too costly for some people.

“I've heard and seen several individuals, law-abiding citizens, that would like to and have intentions to purchase a gun for protection and carry it,” he said. “… For some individuals the fee is prohibitive.”

Harmon said his bill would keep the permit process in place for those who want to carry concealed weapons in other states that have a reciprocity agreement with Kentucky.

Jerry Wagner, executive director of the Kentucky Sheriffs Association, said that his members have not been polled on the issue. But he said he believes the current permit process works well.

“We like to know who in our community (is) carrying concealed and obviously make sure they have gone through the courses and are properly trained,” he said.

According to the National Rifle Association Web site, three other states — Vermont, Alaska and Arizona — allow individuals to carry concealed weapons without a permit.

Harmon said he plans to work with law enforcement to get their input when he drafts the bill.

He said the process is about “finding a balance to restoring Second Amendment rights while at the same time not putting people in danger.”